Oct 3 (Island) From the misty montane forests around Adam’s Peak, the Kelani Ganga tumbles down rocky headwaters, gathering tributaries before rolling past rubber estates, tea plantations, shanty towns and finally SL’s bustling commercial capital. For centuries this 145-kilometre river has been the country’s lifeline, supplying water, fish, fertile soils and cultural meaning. Today it sustains more than six million people in the Colombo District alone. But the river is in trouble. more..

Oct 3 (GV) Elders are the keepers of memory, wisdom and experience – the living bridge between the past and the present. They are recognised under int'l human rights frameworks, particularly Madrid Int'l Plan of Action on Ageing (2002), which guides govts in ensuring health, participation and security for older persons. The global community has recognised that ageing populations require focused policy responses, especially since the proportion of elderly people worldwide is rapidly increasing. more..

Oct 3 (Island) The NPP govt is in overdrive to probe all crimes that shook the country during the Rajapaksa regime. Minister Bimal Rathnayake has claimed that the Rajapaksas ran what he describes as a crime raj. He that hath an ill-name is said to be half-hanged; the Rajapaksas will have their work cut out to counter such allegations against them. Rathnayake’s claim may have struck a responsive chord with the public, given the sheer number of unsolved crimes during Rajapaksa regime, more..

Oct 3 (ST) What are your dreams after graduation? I asked Shehan, a final-year uni student. We were having a personal chat while he was looking for an internship—a requirement for his final year. In just a couple of months, Shehan would finish his degree and leave university. Shehan came across as smart and focused. He wasn’t just dreaming of a better future—he was actively planning for it. His CV said he was 26 years old, which did not surprise me as a bit old to still be in university. more..

Oct 3 (TM) Despite a Cabinet decision taken in January to upgrade the country’s cancer treatment infrastructure with high-quality radiotherapy equipment, regulatory holdups have delayed the provision of optimum care to cancer patients even as cases grow. As per an agreement in 2013 for the supply of 14 linear accelerator (linac) machines under two phases, to be utilised for cancer treatments, the first phase of the project more..

Oct 3 (DM) Aiming to attract 5 million tourists by 2030, SL is striving hard to become one of the world’s leading tourist attractions with everything in one place for travellers or tourists. From golden beaches, blue seas with a variety of marine life to misty mountains, wildlife, historically important archaeological sites, SL has a golden egg in its platter. However, adventurous trails are still largely missing from the list, and only a few tourists would have heard about Pekoe Trail, more..

Oct 3 (CT) As a country brimming with natural resources and impeccable natural beauty, SL has taken measures — at least on paper — to protect its environment and resources. Perhaps the biggest threat to the environment in the 20th and 21st Centuries is the use of plastic and polythene. SL, too, has implemented bans, ratified int'l conventions, become a signatory to global environmental pledges, and is practising the core principles of plastic and polythene use reduction: reduce, reuse, more..

Oct 3 (SO) SL covers just 65,610 square kilometres, yet for such a small island, its soil has been stained with the blood of countless innocents for decades while justice has long remained elusive for their families and loved ones. Ragihar Manoharan, an unassuming young man from Trincomalee, was one such innocent who lost his life in a senseless killing, allegedly carried out by a group of Security Force members way back in Jan 2006. more..

Oct 3 (TM) The global demand for technology, innovation, and automation is growing by leaps and bounds, and so is the rush to supply the ever-evolving technology landscape with the raw materials that are needed to sustain that demand and speed. However, mother earth has finite resources, and human thirst for its development drive, produces unsustainable expectations on this planet’s resources and the vital ecosystems which keep our world afloat. more..

Oct 3 (DM) Sri Lanka, having endured a severe financial crisis that culminated in sovereign default in 2022, is now at a critical juncture. The country is under the care of the IMF, which offers some breathing space. But this is by no means a permanent cure. The real challenge lies in whether Sri Lanka can generate sustainable growth and become a prosperous country. The reason for the current stalemate is not purely external. The govt’s own policy orientation is also to blame. more..

Oct 2 (AD) It will be mandatory for manufacturers to obtain the Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification for plastic items such as feeding bottles and lunch boxes used by schoolchildren before releasing them to the market, the Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe has announced. The regulation will come into effect from April 01, 2026. Minister further stated that from April 01, 2026, the sale of products that do not comply with the prescribed standards will be strictly prohibited. The Minister noted that more..

Oct 2 (CT) The Colombo High Court, yesterday (1), ordered that the next pre-trial conference in the case filed against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and members of his family be held on 15 October. The case, filed by the CIABOC, relates to the alleged unlawful acquisition of nearly Rs 98 million and offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. When the matter was taken up before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail, the defendants were present in Court. more..

Oct 2 (CT) Govt intends to issue a Gazette Notification imposing a mandatory fee on all polythene shopping bags, including those provided at supermarkets, effective 1 Nov 2025. This decision was communicated to Supreme Court yesterday (1) by the Minister of Environment and other respondents. The announcement came during the hearing of a Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ). more..

Oct 2 (FT) Govt is to fast-track passport processing for overseas applicants, more efficient handling of dual citizenship requests, and expanding digitalisation to streamline administrative procedures. This was discussed at a meeting held by Acting Minister Arun Hemachandra at a high-level joint meeting bringing together senior officials of Ministry’s Consular Division and Dept of Immigration and Emigration to review and enhance key aspects of SL’s consular and immigration services. more..

Oct 2 (AD) There is a noticeable decrease in the number of children being placed under probation when compared to previous years, according to the Dept of Probation and Child Care Services. Assistant Commissioner Darshani Perera of the dept noted that the Western Province has the highest number of child probation cases. She made these remarks while participating in a media briefing held by Health Promotion Bureau. Assistant Commissioner Darshani Perera noted in comparison to more..

Oct 2 (AD) Counsels representing a group of vehicle importers have raised objections before the Court of Appeal against a proposal submitted by the Treasury to impose a 35% surcharge in order to release vehicles currently held by SL Customs. These vehicles were detained due to being imported into the country under letters of credit opened at foreign banks. President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, appearing on behalf of more..

Oct 2 (DM) A 45-year-old man was found hanging in his room at Colombo’s luxury hotel, Nuwa in the City of Dreams on Tuesday evening. According to police, he had been staying at the hotel for four days. When hotel staff noticed that the door remained locked, they informed police. Officers then broke open the door and found him hanging. The post-mortem examination has confirmed that the death was due to hanging. However, the cause of his suicide is yet to be ascertained. more..

Oct 2 (TM) Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong has reaffirmed their enduring friendship with SL, highlighting strong bilateral cooperation in development projects, public welfare initiatives, and crisis response. The two countries have stood together through challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, economic crises, kidney disease, and flood relief efforts, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said. Ambassador Qi made these remarks in a statement commemorating the 76th anniversary more..

Oct 2 (SLN) A search operation conducted by the Navy in the sea area of Arichchal in Kalpitiya on 01 Oct, led to the interception of a dinghy with 02 suspects, attempting to smuggle about 04kg and 454g of gold The Navy carries out regular search operations and patrols in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to preventing an assortment of nefarious activities stemming via sea routes. On receipt of credible information by the Northwestern Naval Command, more..

Oct 2 (TM) The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup continues today (2) with the third match between Pakistan Women and Bangladesh Women at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This marks the first World Cup match hosted in Sri Lanka during the tournament. SLC has announced free entry for spectators to promote women’s cricket and encourage public participation. Both teams are yet to win a Women’s World Cup title, making this clash vital for early momentum. more..

Oct 2 (AM) Director General of the CIABOC, Ranga Dissanayake, today strongly rejected claims made by former MP Nandana Gunathilaka that he was a member of the JVP's legal committee. Dissanayake described the allegation as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine public trust in the Commission. “This is an organised attempt. From time to time, certain individuals raise such baseless accusations targeting me, more..

Oct 2 (EN) SL’s CIABOC is unable to carry out its functions after the Finance Ministry blocked its attempts to recruit staff citing fiscal rules, Director General Ranga Dissanayake said. The is getting thousands of complaints but only has 169 investigations officers and out of a requirement of 75 legal officers only 31 were available. CIABOC needs around 967 staff but the Treasury has blocked recruitment saying it has to approve salaries and the cadre under a new fiscal management law, more..

Oct 2 (PMD) Today (1) marks both World Children’s Day and Elders’ Day. Within any nation, children and the elderly together represent a significant part of the population. Our Govt is fully committed to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of both these generations and we continue to work tirelessly to enhance the welfare of children as well as elders. Children represent the future of both our nation and the world. Their world is one of innocence and purity and it is our duty as a society to more..

Oct 2 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the IMF to stop the withdrawal of the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme, warning it would seriously harm SL’s export-oriented industries. Speaking during a meeting with IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and IMF Resident Representative Martha Woldemichael at his Colombo office, Premadasa said exporters are already struggling and removing SVAT more..

Oct 2 (NW) 9th ABU Media Summit on Climate Action & Disaster Prevention (CADP-2025) will be held from 25–27 Nov 2025 in Colombo, the largest international media event to be held in SL this year. Organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and hosted by SL Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), event will bring together more than 200 delegates from over 35 countries. Around 75 international delegates are expected, including high-level representatives from major broadcasters more..

Oct 2 (Island) All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema has vehemently condemned the proposed tourism promotion campaign targeting LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer). The efforts for economic prosperity should not undermine religious beliefs, ethics, values and cultural and traditional practices. All regions in this country promote family life through the marriage of male and female. Sri Lanka is a nation blessed with its distinct culture, traditions and family values. more..

Oct 2 (DM) Yal Devi express train operating between Colombo Fort and KKS will experience delays due to essential repair work on the railway line between Vavuniya and Omanthai, Railways Dept announced. According to a communiqué, from Oct 7, train No. 4077 will leave Colombo Fort at 6.40 a.m. and arrive at Vavuniya at 11.35 a.m. The train will then halt at Vavuniya station for two hours and forty minutes before departing at 2.15 p.m. This schedule will remain in effect for 11 days. more..

Oct 2 (Island) Some of those involved in the cover-up of Wasim Thajudeen’s murder in May 2012 were now in the incumbent govt, SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahuman alleged yesterday. MP said so in response to claims that Anura Vidanagamage, aka Kajja, who had been killed with two of his children in Middeniya earlier this year, was allegedly involved in the Thajudeen murder. MP said that in the run-up to the prez and parliamentary polls last year, NPP vowed to arrest those responsible more..

Oct 2 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Krishan Balendra this week told Japanese investors that SL is seeing economic revival and it is the right moment to be part of shaping the South Asian hub’s next growth chapter. He made this observation at the SL Business Forum in Tokyo as part of a public-private sector initiative to woo Japanese investor interest in tandem with Prez Disanayake’s State visit. more..

Oct 2 (CT) Human rights advocate and former Human Rights Commissioner of SL, Ambika Satkunanathan, has cautioned that the world is facing a dangerous rollback of progress on gender equality, with women being erased from public life, silenced, and subjected to new forms of violence — including the weaponisation of Artificial Intelligence. Speaking at the forum Amplifying the Voices of Women organised by the South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) – SL yesterday (1), more..

Oct 2 (TM) Under the supervision of the Dept of Agriculture, two newly tested pomegranate varieties have produced successful harvests. The varieties, named Mali Pink and Lanka Red, were trialed at the Ruhunu Plant Nursery in Ambalantota. According to Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research) Mrs. L.G.I. Samanmali, the research was conducted in line with the recommendations of National Agricultural Policy Council of the Ministry of Agriculture and Dept of Agriculture. more..

Oct 2 (AD) Neville Wanniarachchi, the chief security officer of former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the Bribery Commission earlier today, has been remanded until Oct 17 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka Bodaragama issued the order after considering the submissions made by Bribery Commission officials and the suspect’s attoneys. He had been arrested and produced before more..